Wind Exposure Categories

#193
Wind Exposure Categories

Exposure Categories can have a significant effect on the design wind pressures for fenestration products
such as vehicular access doors. For such doors, the design wind pressure values can vary by 30% or
more, resulting in doors with a great difference in materials needed. This article will overview some
easy-to-recognize conditions that would help distinguish between Exposure B and Exposure C, two
common alternatives to choose from at a building site.
What are Exposures B and C?
It is important to know how ASCE 7, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures,
describes each category. ASCE 7 is the standard by which wind pressures are determined, and is
referenced in model codes adopted as base codes by most every U.S. state.
Exposure Categories are based on "surface roughness", defined as follows for buildings less than 30 feet
high.
Exposure B: Urban and suburban areas, wooded areas, or other terrain with numerous closely spaced
obstructions having the size of single-family dwellings or larger, prevailing for a distance greater than
1,500 feet in any direction from the installation.
Exposure C: Open terrain with scattered obstructions having heights generally less than 30 feet.
(Commonly associated with flat open country and grasslands).
A Word about Exposure D
Exposure D involves a structure a close distance (typically within 600 feet) from an "open waterway" one
mile or more across. This category is readily distinguishable, where the locally enforced code very likely
has considered this in their requirements.
11/2015. Page 1 of 3 This sheet is reviewed periodically and may be updated. Visit www.dasma.com for the latest version.
#193
How Prevalent are the Different Exposures
The International Building Code may lead to a tendency to simply assume Exposure C in many cases
where Exposure B more practically applies. Commentary information in ASCE 7 indicates that as many
as 60% to 80% of buildings have an Exposure Category corresponding to Exposure B. Thus, a set of
simple guidelines would greatly aid in determining the most suitable Category using either model
building code.
Note: Where the International Residential Code is used as the model code basis and where the first
paragraph of Section R301.2.1.4 (Exposure category)is unchanged, the exposure category for multiple
detached one- and two-family structures shall be based upon the site conditions that will exist at the time
when all adjacent structures on the site have been constructed, provided that their construction starts
within one year of the structure being evaluated.
Guidance in Determining Exposure B
The most convenient way to observationally determine Exposure B is to rule out Exposure C. This can
be accomplished by answering the following questions:
1. If the building is in a residential area, is it completely surrounded by housing or wooded areas as

far as I can see?
2. If the building is not in a residential area, is it surrounded by other similar buildings or wooded
areas as far as I can see?
3. (One- and two-family structures built under the non-modified IRC model code) If the building is
under construction in a developing area, will the building be surrounded by housing or other
buildings, or by wooded areas when the development is complete?
If the answer is Yes to any one of the three questions above, then the home or building is probably
Exposure B. If the answer is No to all of the questions above, then the home or building is Exposure C.
Conclusion
These guidelines can be used where a local building code does not have specific areas delineated as
Exposure Categories or where a job specification does not note an Exposure Category. The guidelines
can be used toward quoting a job or using due diligence to provide a customer with a door reflective of
the wind conditions affecting the building. Although the Exposure Category may need to be reassessed
due to future demolition and/or development surrounding the building in question, this may be better
handled by a design professional if job specifications are involved.
#193
Examples of Wind Exposure Categories:
Exposure B Example
(Source: ASCE 7-10)
Exposure C Example
(Source: ASCE 7-10)

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#193

Wind Exposure Categories

What are Exposures B and C?

A Word about Exposure D

Guidance in Determining Exposure B

1. If the building is in a residential area, is it completely surrounded by housing or wooded areas as

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